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Report of the NORA/Eurofuel event 2020 - Day 3

The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) and the European Heating Oil Association (Eurofuel) hosted in August and September 2020 a virtual conference on liquid heating fuels in a carbon constrained world. 

The full programme is available here.

Day 3

Day 3 - Technical Session: Fuels

Day 3 focuses on the technical changes empowering the liquid heating fuels industry to move forward. Discussions of biodiesel (FAME) and renewable diesel (hydrogenated vegetable oil) examine supply as well as technical issues associated with the fuels. This session also explores the exotic fuels of the future—liquid fuels made from cellulose and from electrolysis.

Day 3: Welcome by John Huber, President of NORA, and Moritz Bellingen, President of Eurofuel


Luka - Multiple Pathways to a Low-Carbon Future

Klaus Luka will describe the efforts at IWO to develop low carbon alternative fuels. There are a number of approaches that could provide the appropriate liquid fuels.

Slade - Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel: Understanding Environmental Benefits

Dave Slade will describe the fuels that REG has developed to serve emerging markets in California and the world. These fuels include renewable diesel and biodiesel, as well as a biodiesel designed to be a heavy oil replacement and a biodiesel that has been further distilled. Dave will also present a study on how biofuels are the most efficient way of reducing atmospheric carbon due to the ability to rapidly introduce them into markets.

Alberdi - Biodiesel: Best Answer for the EU?

Angel Alberdi will discuss the variety of fuels available in the EU. He will evaluate and discuss the biodiesels available from waste oil and their extremely attractive global warming scores and why they provide great value to the EU.

Stohr - Renewable Diesel: Only the Carbon Score Changes

Renewable diesel or hydrogenated vegetable oil has seen a very strong growth curve. Partly this has been driven by the California low carbon fuel standard. However, renewable diesel does not impact NOX emissions from motor vehicles and can be transported on the pipeline system. For many, it is a direct replacement for petroleum and loved by environmental regulators.

Butcher/ Rogers - Cellulosic Fuels: Development in the U.S.

The state of Maine is trying to reduce carbon, incentivize heat pumps in a very cold climate. Dead River Co. has been working with NORA to develop and commercialize ethyl levulinate (EL), a liquid fuel made from cellulosic materials. EL has a wide variety of feedstocks, low pour point and is very stable. Presented will be two field studies on how this product might enter the market.

Böltken - From CO2 & Renewable Power to Liquid Hydrocarbons

One of the biggest challenges to move to an electricified economy is that wind and solar are not always generating power when the grid needs it and sometimes they are producing more power than the grid needs. Could that excess electricity be converted to a usable liquid fuel—thus, having a fuel that stores well and is ready for a variety of users throughout Europe. Tim will highlight advances in this technology and how to move it forward.

McCormick - Future Fuels: Co-Optima

Fuels and their users have danced a complicated tango since the early days of the automobile. The fights between oil companies and automobile dealers are legend. Bob will discuss the efforts they are undertaking to align next generation fuels with next generation equipment, trying to optimize the benefits of both sides of the equation.

Butcher - High Biodiesel Blends: Lessons Learned, Challenges & Best Practices

Fuels and their users have danced a complicated tango since the early days of the automobile. The fights between oil companies and automobile dealers are legend. Bob will discuss the efforts they are undertaking to align next generation fuels with next generation equipment, trying to optimize the benefits of both sides of the equation.

Eiden - Fuel Quality Solutions

The key to all effective heating systems is having a quality fuel in the system. In Germany, fuels are often stored in excess of a year. Simon will describe OWI’s efforts to develop and evaluate additives that work effectively with petroleum and biodiesel.

Wrap up Day 3